Newtown High School's softball team used the long ball — a home run off the bat of Maddie Thoesen — and some small ball to defeat host Amity of Woodbridge 3-2 in eight innings of their Class LL State Tournament second-round clash on June 4.

With the game tied 2-2 in the top of the eighth inning the Nighthawks got a double from Gillian Boughan sacrifice bunt from Elena Burdo, and safety squeeze bunt from Izzy Ligouri to score Boughan with the deciding run — small ball defined.

Boughan was looked back to third base by the Amity fielder but broke for home plate on the throw to first and made it safely. The Nighthawks, behind pitcher Addy Cordova, held on to upset No. 3 seed Amity.

With the win the No. 14 Nighthawks will visit No. 6 Fairfield Warde in the Friday, June 6 quarterfinals at 2 pm.